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3471A student attending one of the most prestigious universities in the world opened up in a brutally honest Reddit post about the harsh realities of being low-income in a high-income environment.
The post, which gained widespread attention, detailed the emotional weight of trying to exist in a space dominated by extreme wealth.
The Harsh Divide Between Appearances and Reality
“I go to this ridiculously elite college. The kind that shows up on those ‘top 10 schools in the world’ lists,” the student wrote. “I got in on a full scholarship—my golden ticket out, or so I thought. But I feel like a f***ing ghost here.”
They went on to describe a sharp divide between themselves and their wealthier peers. “My friends drive BMWs and Teslas,” the student said.
“They wear designer jackets like it’s no big deal. They sip overpriced coffee between classes and casually order food like money is just… background noise. They talk about trips to Switzerland, buying watches, family yachts, goddamn ski trips.”
In contrast, their daily reality is a struggle. They rely on public transportation, avoid going out to eat because they can’t afford it, and wear shoes that leak when it rains.
“I eat the same $2 meals every day and pretend I’m not hungry when everyone goes out to eat,” they wrote. “It’s easier than saying, ‘I can’t afford a burger, man.'”
The emotional impact of pretending to belong is intense. “I smile. I nod. I laugh sometimes. I’ve gotten good at acting like I belong. But I don’t.”
The student described the toll of the constant performance, saying:
“I don’t even feel human sometimes. Just this hollow thing sitting in rooms I never thought I’d see, surrounded by people who don’t even realize I’m fading.”
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Support From Those Who’ve Been There
Reddit commenters flooded in to share support, offer empathy, and share their own experiences. The top-rated comment, with thousands of upvotes, said, “I was a poor kid in a rich college too. You are not the only poor kid there. You need to find the other scholarship kids — they will help you stay sane.”
Others shared stories of survival and connection.
One person reflected, “My skate rats and artists and plucky club sailing team crew got me through. Co-op cooking, big pots of beans and rice. When five people have $10, a $50 dinner can feed eight.”
Several pointed out that this isn’t just about money. It’s about belonging, identity, and self-worth.
One commenter wrote:
“Be honest. You didn’t grow up with the resources they did, but you made it here. Living that double life is exhausting.”
Others took a more practical approach. Many advised the student to take advantage of every available resource: campus food pantries, work-study jobs, clubs that offer free meals or equipment, and financial aid offices.
Some even suggested turning the experience into a strength: “Offer tutoring to students who might need help. Charge a reasonable rate. You’ve got skills—they’ve got money. Provide value.”
Turning Struggle Into Strength
Networking also came up repeatedly. “Network with the rich people and let them know you are poor but talented,” one said. “They might just respect the grind. And their parents have the kind of connections that could change your life.”
Still, others emphasized that the difference between surviving and thriving can come from finding a community.
“You’ll find your tribe. There are others like you, even if they’re hiding it. Look for the quiet ones, the RA’s, the people working kitchen jobs. They’ve been through it too.”
And even some from wealthy backgrounds joined the conversation to say they respected peers who had to work harder:
“I picked up the check for my friend every day for six years,” one shared. “He was my best friend. He just couldn’t afford stuff. It didn’t matter.”
Another noted, “You are the one who earned the right to be where you are. These rich kids had to have mommy and daddy buy their way in. You’ve already done more than they have.”
A few admitted that they initially tried to hide their financial background, only to find that honesty created stronger, more genuine relationships. “People actually liked me more when I stopped pretending,” one said.
And through it all, the original poster’s final sentiment—”Maybe I just needed to feel like someone might see me, even for a second”—was met with a resounding yes.
They were seen. And they were reminded that they are not alone, they are not less, and they absolutely belong.
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